Up to 40,000 San Diegans who were brought to the United States as children could end up deported to places they barely know
SAN DIEGO, CA -- In a cruel and heartless decision, the Trump administration has decided to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program while giving Congress a six-month delay to come up with a legislative solution.
This decision will negatively impact nearly 800,000 young people, including as many as 40,000 in San Diego, who under this program have been able to work, study, and contribute to America.
In response, the San Diego Immigrants Rights Consortium will hold a press conference this morning at 11 a.m. with dreamers, faith leaders and elected officials. In addition, San Diegans will hold a rally this evening at 6 p.m. to express opposition to the decision. Both events will take place at the San Diego County Administration Center.
NOTE: The press conference in the morning is in addition to a rally scheduled for 6 PM Tuesday at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego.
Press Conference
When: Today, Tuesday, September 5 at 11 a.m.
Where: County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego
Who: Dreamers, faith leaders and elected officials react to news DACA
Evening Rally in Support of DACA
When: Today, Tuesday, September 5 at 6 p.m.
Where: County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego
Who: San Diegans rally to express opposition to news about the future of program
Laura Moreno, Chair of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium, said the following:
"This is a cruel and heartless decision that would uproot the lives of 800,000 or so young people, including as many as 40,000 in San Diego, who are working, studying, and contributing to the community. These are people who have lived in the United States since they were children. This is the time to stand with them, not to use them as bargaining chips in a political tug-of-war. That's why we've partnered with trusted immigration attorneys in the community to offer FREE legal consultations to all undocumented immigrants. We are asking people to go to our website, ReadyNowSanDiego.org, to find out about upcoming events and make an appointment for a free legal consultation to help determine their eligibility for other programs."
Jesus Mendez Carbajal, a DACA recipient and Human Rights Organizer at Alliance San Diego, said the following:
"This heartbreaking announcement fills me with intense emotions, not only for myself but for all other DACA recipients, our families and our communities. I ask my fellow DACA recipients to please ride this tumultuous wave of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty with love and hope in our hearts. We will get through what is ahead of us and our communities now that DACA is ending. During these times of desperation, we must hold true to our values and our worth and not be swayed by 'bargains' that offer us a pathway to citizenship at the expense of our families, communities, more border agents and border region militarization."
Ginger Jacobs, immigration attorney at Jacobs & Schlesinger LLP, stated the following:
"Although the information released today may sound final, it is not, and we may see changes in the coming days and weeks either because of lawsuits or additional changes in policy. We are encouraging Dreamers not to make any drastic life changes based on the announcement, and to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney. Ready Now San Diego is offering FREE consultations with experienced, local immigration attorneys. So keep going to work or school. You are an important part of our community, and lots of people will be fighting alongside you to keep you here."
Madison Shockley, Pastor of Pilgrim United Church of Christ and member of the North County Immigration Task Force released the following statement:
"The idea that this administration would send these young people back to a country that is unfamiliar to them indicates a cruelty and lack of compassion that is inconsistent with the values this country was founded on. The same Bible that President Trump held when taking an oath to lead this country says, '
You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.' The decision to send thousands of young people back into the shadows runs counter to the moral obligation that we have to treat others with dignity and love. During this time of turmoil, I will continue to hold the Word of God near and will continue to pray with and for those who will be negatively impacted by this unjust decision."
Background
Since 2012, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has helped about 800K young immigrants, including as many as 40,000 in San Diego, go to college, get work permits, and get relief from deportation. These are students, young professionals and even parents, who contribute to the economic growth of both the border and this nation. Now, Trump wants to end the program, while further militarizing border communities by using "Dreamers" as a bargaining chip for upcoming budget negotiations that include a wall, more agents and more detention centers.
About San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium
The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium is a project of Alliance San Diego. Since 2007, community, faith, labor, and legal organizations have come together as the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC). Through SDIRC, these organizations are pursuing four common goals: support comprehensive immigration reform; stop the spread of local policies and practices that target and violate the civil and human rights of immigrants; educate immigrants; and educate the public about the important contributions of immigrants. More at: www.immigrantsandiego.org.
###